VTA urges FDA for more alternatives to mint tobacco products

Aug.07.2022
VTA urges FDA for more alternatives to mint tobacco products
The VTA urges the FDA to provide feasible alternatives for mint-flavored tobacco to improve public health.

The U.S. Vapor Technology Association (VTA) stated that only when there are viable alternatives to menthol-flavored cigarettes and flavored e-cigarette products on the market can the FDA's proposal regarding menthol-flavored cigarettes improve public health.


In April of this year, the FDA announced a plan to ban the sale of menthol-flavored cigarettes, which make up approximately one-third of the tobacco market in the United States. As of August 2nd, the officials are collecting public opinions on this plan.


In their official commentary on the proposed product standards, VTA urged the FDA to continue reforms for menthol and flavored electronic cigarette products, providing smokers with effective alternatives to traditional smoking.


In a statement, the VTA said that the "menthol cigarette rule" could potentially lead to a significant reduction in smoking - the leading cause of death and disease in the United States - but only if the agency heeds warnings from scientists that menthol smokers must have access to less harmful electronic cigarettes and other nicotine alternatives.


These restrictions may achieve a victory for public health and turn it into a benchmark. However, without the FDA taking further decisive action, this will fall far short of a triumph for public health.


Scientific experts of the FDA acknowledge that at least 50%, and possibly even more, of smokers will continue to smoke or use other combustible products unless provided with effective alternatives after the implementation of menthol cigarette regulations.


The VTA stated that in order to achieve its mission of harm reduction, the organization must utilize its PMTA process to ensure a reasonable and regulated market, while also providing suitable, less hazardous non-flammable alternatives.


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